A couple months after the concert:

Clary POV

Things were going fantastic at school. I was getting wonderful grades because I actually had time to work on my homework and study for the tests. It's actually a little odd now that I think about it. Everyone was being overall nicer to me since the concert. And Jace's band has gotten bigger than ever.

Surprisingly, my home life wasn't all that bad either. Other than a couple hits from Valentine everything was going well. Valentine has been staying out later or just not coming home at all. In his drunken stupor he would finally arrive home at midnight calling for me. He would deliver a few blows; begin to say something then cut himself off with a mischievous glint in his eye.

The only person that I have yet to talk to is Jon. I haven't had the opportunity to! I know its been a couple of months but I just haven't worked up the nerve to actually listen to what he has to say. Jace has offered countless times to stay with me and listen but I want to do this myself. I can do it.

"Clary! I'm leaving! Get this shithouse picked up before I come home!" Valentine yelled from downstairs. Before I could reply I heard the front door slam. With an eye roll I went downstairs to clean up from last nights drinking fest.

As I started to clean up Jon came down the stairs after he heard that dad left. He grabbed a trash bag and began cleaning up I looked at him in surprise.

I know that he told me that he was going to try to change and all but it still shocks me when he actually raises a hand to help me rather than hurt me.

"When are you going to stop doing that?" Jon asks me not unkindly.

"What are you talking about Jon?" I asked him confused.

"You look at me in shock every time I try to help you."

" Well I'm sorry that after 11 years of you not caring you suddenly decide that you care." I snap at him in annoyance.

I shrink away from him in fear after I fully understood the words that just came out of my mouth- this could earn me a beating.

With a sigh Jon drops down onto the couch, defeated. "I'm sorry Clary. I really am. I'm trying to show you that I'm trying to change. You just won't let me!"

Ugh, do we really have to do this now? Yes, yes we do.

Now that my internal dialogue is over I carefully sit next to Jon. "I'm sorry Jon, I know that I haven't made this easy on you but I'm finally ready to listen to what you have to say. "

He looks at me with a surprised but happy look on his face. "Thank you Clary. I have been wanting to explain myself for a while..."

"It was after mom left- but you know that. Dad was upset because you look so much like her and he wanted to disfigure that memory as much as possible. He took to 'punishing' you and made me join him. For every blow that I didn't deliver he would swing ten times harder. Eventually I figured out that I not hurting you made it all worse for you." He ended with a defeated sigh.

"You told me this all before Jon…." I said hesitantly. "Why do you think I'll believe you now?"

" I don't expect you to believe me Clary… I just want you to be open to me showing you. I have changed. I want to help you get away from him. I want to help you do what you love and be happy and be free."

" How do you plan on helping me Jon? You can't adopt me. You know we can't go to the police."

" I can make is easier at school … I can make it easier at home… I can help you pursue you music career. "

"Ok Jon… I don't believe you yet. You're gonna have to prove it to me. "

His face split into a huge grin. He grabbed me up in a gigantic hug and twirled me around the room "Thank you Clary! All I want is to be your big brother again!"

"Oh! I'm getting dizzy Jon put me down!"

With a chuckle my feet landed back on the floor. He grabbed the black trash bag that I had discarded on the couch and began to pick up the broken beer bottles and pizza boxes left over from our lovely father.

"What are you doing Jon?" I asked him confused.

"I'm showing you that I' m going to change. I think I hear your phone ringing I'll finish cleaning here." He said with a small smile.

I'm sure my eyes bugged out of my head when he said this but I didn't want him to suddenly change his mind on me… I sprinted up the stairs to find my phone on my bed. And a missed call from Jace.

With a grin I called my wonderful boyfriend back. While I was waiting for him to answer I couldn't help but think about how fantastic he was. Jace was like my best friend that I could constantly bother- he would act annoyed but he secretly loved it. He has dumb nicknames that he hates but again secret adores. My favorite is Smurfy. He wore a beanie once- big mistake. He also made the unfortunate decision to wear blue as well…. You get the picture.

I was disrupted from my thoughts when said Smurfy answered the phone.

"Hey!" He answered.

"Hey Smurfy! Whatcha need?" I asked him with a small smirk on my face.

A grunt of 'disapproval' from my use of the nickname sounded from the other side. " I was wondering if you wanted to come over tonight?" He asked me sounding hopeful. Unfortunately I can't make most of these little dates because of Valentine. However, my talk with Jon has my confidence high that I would be able to actually go this time.

"Actually yes, I would love to come!" I told him excited.

"Really?!" He practically yelled. "That's awesome! Can't wait! See ya around 6?"

"Yup! I'll be there!"

"Yes! Love you Clary."

" I love you too Smurfy."

As I hung up the phone I couldn't help but feel the overwhelming feeling of joy rise through me. I couldn't wait for tonight.

A/N

Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long. My bad…..

School started and I have no time to do anything anymore

I hoped you liked it!

- Alexa